A.N.

One more chapter to go :(

Disclaimer: No own

review? :)

Matt

I watched as Mello picked at the stack of pancakes in front of them that he had already drowned in half a bottle of chocolate syrup much to my disgust. "You know, if you left them alone I could chill them so you could have them later." I pointed out. He grunted in reply, dipping a finger into the overly sweet liquid and sticking the digit in his mouth. I rolled my eyes. "Gross."

"You just have no taste buds. Cigarettes killed them all." He said in what he thought was a witty tone. I shrugged, we'd had this argument countless times before and I was too tired to get back into it. Misa had sent a bunch of photographs my way so I could edit them. Needless to say Mello wasn't impressed when he realised I was still working, he hated being unable to work himself, caught between the frame of mind that wanted him to go back out to shoots and the other that told him he was disgusting. No matter how often I told him otherwise he refused to believe me, even kicking me out of his door (And once, my place) for disagreeing with him and not backing down.

Though despite the constant tension that both of us were feeling, I could tell Mello was slowly recovering. His attitude was definitely back for one, which he took great pleasure in using around me and his scar had healed up enough that he no longer needed the bandage to cover it up. It felt like leather on the one occasion he had let me touch it before flinching away and muttering something about housework.

Mello had in all honesty become something of a hermit. The television had caught wind of what happened, although they lay the events on shallow as they weren't even sure what happened, and they were constantly trying to get a shot of him with his scar. It was enough to make me uncomfortable let alone him. Misa tried to give him constant protection (Body guards outside the buildings door and one outside his apartment) But even so, the paparazzi was desperate and as usual they got their Goddamn way.

Mello was mortified at all the pity comments and the internet trolls coming to the surface to play with the new meat, refusing to go out at all after that, waking me up at stupid o'clock when he wanted me to go on another chocolate run for him. I was struggling, the relationship was strained and near breaking point, though I couldn't bear the thought of walking out on him. It would destroy him and myself. That's when I realised that I was in this for the long haul.

"Mell?" I asked. Mello glanced up from the couch, half devoured chocolate between his teeth.

"Hnnmm?" He murmured.

"I wanna move in."

Mello sat up, chocolate slipping from his mouth. "You do?" He replied, eyes lighting up.

"Yeah. I practically live here anyway. Might as well." I grinned, Mello tugged my hand and pulled me close, kissing me softly.

"Go get your shit." He ordered.

I gave him a mock salute and a 'Yes Sir.' before walking out the room to hand talk to my landlord and collect what I wanted. When I returned with bags in tow Mello was on his hands and knees collecting clutter from a couple of shelves. Clothes were pooled around his feet with open drawers in his dresser. "Are you…okay?" I asked, more amused than anything.

"Making space." He replied, diving head first back into the cupboard, throwing things behind him. "Find a place to put your shit and do it."

I dropped my bag on the ground and began rooting through it, pulling out various things and putting them in the spaces he had cleared.

"You're grinning." He told me.

I shrugged. "Didn't notice." Mello laughed, tucking his hair behind his ear as he carried on. I glanced at him and smiled properly, pulling an assortment of wires out of the bag, untangling them before hanging them on the back of the door.

"Those don't go there asshole, go find a proper place for them." Mello scowled. I rolled my eyes, smirking as he cuffed my head. "Ignorant child." He scolded.

I smirked. Yeah, I think I love him.